Friday, June 26, 2009

(June 9, 2009) —The Grand Turk Cruise Center, owned by Carnival Corporation & plc, has partnered with Cockburn Village & Farm, Ltd., to develop Conch World, a new eco-friendly attraction in Grand Turk, which welcomed its first guests, a group from the Carnival Pride, earlier today. Grand opening festivities are set for fall 2009.

Four years in the making, this unique million-dollar-plus tourism attraction consists of several brightly colored pink buildings that showcase the Queen conch, which is native to Grand Turk and plays a vital role in the health of coral reefs as it serves as a food source for lobsters, turtles, sharks, octopus and other marine animals.

Conch World is the only tourist facility devoted to the Queen conch located at a cruise destination and is only the second such facility in the world.

The guided tour begins with an entertaining video and then proceeds to other air-conditioned buildings where informative displays, pictures and dioramas explain conch lore and conch farming, an important part of the Caribbean’s economy.

The highlight of the attraction is the world famous trained conchs, Sally and Jerry, who love to venture out of their shells and have their pictures taken. Guests can also visit the Bare Naked Conch Café to savor the delicious farmed conch prepared in a variety of ways and the Pink Pearl Gift Shop which sells a variety of conch-related merchandise.

“The Caribbean is vital to the continued growth and success of the North American cruise industry and the Grand Turk Cruise Center and Carnival Corporation & plc are very pleased to support the development of this spectacular and unique attraction,” said Graham Davis, director of port operations and destination development for Carnival Corporation & plc. “In addition to serving as an example of responsible, sustainable tourism development, Conch World will have tangible economic benefits, including creating numerous job opportunities for the local community,” he said.

Added Chuck Hesse, CEO of the world’s only conch farm now headquartered on Grand Turk, “This facility is a celebration of a small animal that has made a huge contribution to the entire Caribbean. The conch’s high protein meat has been a staple in almost every island, its shell used for ornaments, mortar, pottery, and as a conch horn.”

Hesse noted that one in every 10,000 animals produces an exquisite pink pearl valuable enough to be part of the Crown Jewels of England.

Conch World is the first of a multi-phase development by the locally owned and operated company, Cockburn Village & Farm, Ltd. It will be followed by a commercial conch farm, Arawak Village, a modern facility with buildings resembling 1780’s Caribbean dwellings, along with beachfront eco-engineered residences.

Conch World is just the latest addition to Grand Turk, one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled and laidback islands. The $60 million Grand Turk Cruise Center serves as a gateway to this unique destination and encompasses a state-of-the-art pier and a 13-acre complex offering a variety of retail shops, including the Caribbean’s largest “Margaritaville”-themed bar and restaurant.

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